Cantwell on the block?

[MHS831]

It seemed a bit odd that they pulled Pike to allow Cantwell to run the 2 minute drill at the end of the game Thursday. I have since developed a theory (I say stuff like that to get the dickheads involved). Points:

a. the Panthers have been singing Cantwell's praises since OTAs, after they drafted Pike. Have they been promoting him?

b. Allowing him to showcase his arm after Clausen showed he is the backup by playing well. A solid, game-winning drive would have boosted his stock. If you were going to pull Pike, why not give the experience to Clausen? Because Cantwell is on the block and needs exposure.

c. The Panthers know that Cincinnati has a buzzard on the line waiting for them to cut Pike; he will never make the PS. The Panthers like Pike, but the quarter system at Cincinnati threw him way behind. They know nobody is going to give up squat for him until they force the Panthers' hand and wait to see what they do with 4 QBs--somebody has to go. But by keeping Pike as the #3 and TRADING Cantwell, you do Cantwell a favor, Pike a favor, and the Panthers get something in return.

d. QBs are rather scarce in the NFL right now, and Cantwell would fit nicely in a system where he could challenge for the backup job, a place like Cincy, Indy, Pittsburgh, etc. The possiblity of getting a young backup is worth a solid, rotational DT or a LB.

e. Even if Moore leaves in 2011, Clausen and Pike should be ready for new roles. Add a veteran QB or work Edwards in as the emergency third stringer, and they seem solid at QB, if only on paper, for 2011.

IR for Pike is the other option, and The Bungles have to know that. However, you aren't doing Pike any favors when he needs so much work. If we could trade Cantwell and pick up value like we did with Chris Harris, Leonard Louis, Tank Tyler, etc, it could help.

BTW--THis LB we got from Oklahoma via BUffalo was a tweener who didn't fit. He will be much better here.

Possible? yep. Probable? Nope. Discuss.

[DudeNamedJeremy]

must be running out of footballs because thats all someone would trade for him

[smash_n_dash]

Ummm Pike looked awful on the two passing plays he was in for. Cantwell is not getting traded after being here for 2 years and his potential to be Jimmy's backup next year when they trade Moore away. Pike will either be IR or they'll trade him.

[MHS831]

Have you seen the depth at QB around the league? David Carr is still playing. QUinn is drowning in Denver. Brunell is still a backup. Cantwell has more value than you realize. Besides, if you are going to cut someone loose, get something for him. I think they would rather have Pike.

[smash_n_dash]

Teams cut 30 or so players every year and get nothing for them.

[MHS831]

Ummm-they like Pike and he is behind (as I mentioned). If they were sold on Cantwell and wanted to develop him as a backup, why draft a 4th QB? You are assuming that Moore isn't re-signed and that 3 minutes in a rainy exhibition game is all they need to abandon Pike. Open the mind a bit. Nobody said it was probable, but if you are going to discount it entirely, use sound logic.

[Future of the Funchise]

i like this idea

[MHS831]

True. We are talking about a QB with a strong arm who is young. No NFL team would be interested in that. Are you guys watching the other exhibition games? Cantwell is rough, but he is better than some of the second teamers I have seen. Yes,NFL teams cut players. I read that this morning somewhere. But QBs are in demand, and coaches love his tools. Is he ready to be a backup? No. But his upside is higher than many who will make teams.

[smash_n_dash]

Pike was the best player on the board when he was drafted and if he is able to be held either on the roster or PS then he's a project just like Cantwell is. However, I have no clue as to why they pulled him after three snaps in the last preseason game so you theory does hold up mostly because of that.

[smash_n_dash]

Perhaps we can trade him to the Eagles since Vick sucks

[MHS831]

Trade Moore? They will either let him walk without negotiating a contract and usher in the Clausen era or they will sign him to a long-term, multi-million dollar deal. They will not be able to trade him, unless they franchise him. After the Peppers experience and knowing Clausen is in the garage, I don't see us matching Manning/Brady money to keep him here, nor do I see another team willing to pay his salary if we tried to trade him. We will have to commit to him, or let him go.

[Jpjr]

Pike was the best player on the board when he was drafted and if he is able to be held either on the roster or PS then he's a project just like Cantwell is. However, I have no clue as to why they pulled him after three snaps in the last preseason game so you theory does hold up mostly because of that.

They did because of the opposite of this thread. It is Pike on the block and not Cantwell.

First of all, some of the locals have gotten to some of you because no one wants Cantwell. Only in Carolina are you reading posts that he is the next Tom Brady. It was a joke to begin with especially after drafting not one not two but THREE quarterbacks in the 2010 draft.

BUT, I think Cantwell has done a commendable job and is certainly way ahead of Pike in all facets of the game. I think they held Pike out because honestly they didn't want him to screw anything up and hurt his trade stock. He probably never ran the 2 min drill live in practice and would have looked terrible. The smart thing to do was put Cantwell back in and they did. Don't read into it too much in that regard.

[MHS831]

Good point. He is better than Vick. I think he is better than any QB not named Manning in Indy and any QB not named Rothelsbuergerrrer in Pittsburgh. Then there are a dozen places where he could challenge for the backup job. Last year, we had McCown as our backup. I think he is in the arena league now.

[Ricky Spanish]

you raise a fine point.

it could happen.